Coupling member, housing assembly and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A coupling member configured to couple a first housing to a second housing is provided. The coupling member includes a first connection part, a second connection part and a linkage part. The first connection part is coupled to the first housing. The second connection part is coupled to the second housing. The linkage part includes a first hinge element, a second hinge element and a hinge shaft. The first hinge element is configured to be coupled to the first connection part, the at least one second hinge element configured to be coupled to the second connection part. The first connection part and the second connection part are close to each other by rotation of at least one of the at least one first hinge element and the at least one second hinge element around the hinge shaft. A housing assembly and an electronic device are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to a Chinese application No.201710057600.5 filed on Jan. 26, 2017, titled “CONNECTING MEMBER,HOUSING ASSEMBLY, DISPLAY DEVICE AND MOBILE TERMINAL”. This applicationalso claims priority to a Chinese application No. 201720098831.6 filedon Jan. 26, 2017, titled “CONNECTING MEMBER, HOUSING ASSEMBLY, DISPLAYDEVICE AND MOBILE TERMINAL”. The entirety of the above-mentionedapplications is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of consumer electronics ingeneral. More particularly, and without limitation, the disclosedembodiments relate to a coupling member, a housing assembly and anelectronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices with large screen play an excellent role in improvinguser experience and visual effect, and possess obvious advantagesparticularly in business communication, playing games, watching moviesand the like.

Currently, a foldable electronic device may have a large display panel.The large display panel can satisfy demand of a user for larger screen.The large display panel can be folded so that a size of the foldableelectronic device is reduced. Thus, it is convenient for a user to carrythe foldable electronic device with small size. Generally, the foldableelectronic device includes a first body and a second body and a hingemember. The hinge member is located between and connected to the firstbody and the second body. The first body is rotated relative to thesecond body by the hinge member so that the folded electronic device isfolded.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a coupling member is provided. The coupling member isconfigured to couple a first housing to a second housing. The couplingmember may include a first connection part, a second connection part anda linkage part. The first connection part is configured to be coupled tothe first housing. The second connection part is configured to becoupled to the second housing. The linkage part includes at least onefirst hinge element, at least one second hinge element and a hingeshaft. The at least one first hinge element is configured to be coupledto the first connection part. The at least one second hinge element isconfigured to be coupled to the second connection part. The hinge shaftpivotally couples the at least one first hinge element and the at leastone second hinge element. The first connection part and the secondconnection part are either close to or far away from each other byrotation of at least one of the at least one first hinge element and theat least one second hinge element around the hinge shaft.

In accordance with another aspect, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a housing assembly is provided. The housing assemblyincludes a first housing, a second housing and a coupling member. Thecoupling member includes a first connection part, a second connectionpart and a linkage part. The first connection part is coupled to thefirst housing. The second connection part is coupled to the secondhousing. The linkage part includes at least one first hinge element, atleast one second hinge element and a hinge shaft. The at least one firsthinge element is configured to be coupled to the first connection part.The at least one second hinge element is configured to be coupled to thesecond connection part. The hinge shaft pivotally couples the at leastone first hinge element and the at least one second hinge element. Thefirst housing is rotatable with respect to the second housing byrotation of at least one of the at least one first hinge element and theat least one second hinge element around the hinge shaft.

In accordance with another aspect, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device mayinclude a housing assembly, a flexible display panel and an electroniccomponent group. The housing assembly may include a first housing, asecond housing and a coupling member. The coupling member includes afirst connection part, a second connection part and a linkage part. Thefirst connection part is coupled to the first housing. The secondconnection part is coupled to the second housing. The linkage partincludes at least one first hinge element, at least one second hingeelement and a hinge shaft. The at least one first hinge element isconfigured to be coupled to the first connection part. The at least onesecond hinge element is configured to be coupled to the secondconnection part. The hinge shaft pivotally couples the at least onefirst hinge element and the at least one second hinge element. The firstconnection part and the second connection part are either close to orfar away from each other by the linkage part. The flexible display panelis positioned on the first housing and the second housing. Theelectronic component group is positioned in the first housing and thesecond housing and electrically connected to the flexible display panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an electronic device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of a first housing of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the first housingof the electronic device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled view of a first housing, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the first housing of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a first housing, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a first supporter of the firsthousing shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of a first supporter, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a first auxiliary supporter ofthe first housing shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of a first auxiliary supporter, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the electronicdevice shown in FIG. 1, which is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 13 illustrates another cross-sectional schematic view of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1, which is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the electronicdevice shown in FIG. 1, which is in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 15 illustrates another cross-sectional schematic view of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1, which is in an unfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 16 illustrates another exploded view of a first supporter of thefirst housing shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter of the first housing shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstauxiliary supporter, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded view of a first supporter, in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 13.

FIG. 22 illustrates an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 15.

FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a second housingof the electronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded view of a second housing of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 illustrates an assembled view of a second housing of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1, which is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 28 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1, which in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic view of a connecting member of aconnecting module of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic view of a coupling member of aconnecting module of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 illustrates a partial schematic view of the coupling membershown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter assembled with the coupling member shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 illustrates another cross-sectional schematic view of a firstsupporter assembled with the coupling member shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 illustrates a partial schematic view of the coupling member, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the firstsupporter assembled with a first sliding plate, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 illustrates another cross-sectional schematic view of the firstsupporter assembled with a first sliding plate shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 illustrates a partial exploded view of the coupling member shownin FIG. 30.

FIG. 38 illustrates an exploded view of a damping member of the couplingmember shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 illustrates a partial cross-sectional schematic view of adamping member of the coupling member shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 illustrates an exploded view of a linkage part of the couplingmember with a number of first ratchets and a number of second ratchets,in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41 illustrates an exploded view of the coupling member shown inFIG. 30.

FIG. 42 illustrates an exploded view of a first hinge element and apositioning member shown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 43 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a connectingmember, a hinge shaft and a positioning member as shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 44 illustrates an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 illustrates a schematic view of a connecting module as shown inFIG. 30 assembled with the first supporter.

FIG. 46 illustrates a partial schematic view of a connecting member anda positioning member, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 47 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a first housing,a second housing, and the connecting member and the positioning membershown in FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 illustrates a partial schematic view of a connecting member anda positioning member, in accordance with still another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 49 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an electronicdevice with the connecting member and the positioning member shown inFIG. 46 and a capping member.

FIG. 50 illustrates a schematic view of the capping member shown in FIG.49.

FIG. 51 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of the connectingmember and the capping member shown in FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 illustrates a partial schematic view of a connecting member anda positioning member, in accordance with further another embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 53 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1 in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 54 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1 in a folded configuration.

FIG. 55 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1 in an angular configuration.

FIG. 56 illustrates a schematic view of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1 in another angular configuration.

FIG. 57 illustrates a schematic view of an electronic device, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 58 illustrates an exploded view of a flexible display panel of theelectronic device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 59 illustrates an exploded view of an electronic component group ofthe electronic device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplaryembodiments should not be taken as limiting. Various mechanical,structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this description and the claims, includingequivalents. In some instances, well known structures and techniqueshave not been shown or described in detail so as not to obscure thedisclosure. Similar reference numbers in two or more figures representthe same or similar elements. Furthermore, elements and their associatedfeatures that are disclosed in detail with reference to one embodimentmay, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which theyare not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element isdescribed in detail with reference to one embodiment and is notdescribed with reference to a second embodiment, the element maynevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

As used herein, a “communication terminal” (or simply a “terminal”)includes, but is not limited to, a device that is configured toreceive/transmit communication signals via a wireline connection, suchas via a public-switched telephone network (PSTN), digital subscriberline (DSL), digital cable, a direct cable connection, and/or anotherdata connection/network, and/or via a wireless interface with, forexample, a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN)1 adigital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network,an AM/FM broadcast transmitter, and/or another communication terminal. Acommunication terminal that is configured to communicate over a wirelessinterface may be referred to as a “wireless communication terminal,” a“wireless terminal” and/or a “mobile terminal.” Examples of mobileterminals include, but are not limited to, a satellite or cellularradiotelephone; a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that maycombine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile anddata communications capabilities; a PDA that can include aradiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, Web browser, organizer,calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and aconventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or other appliance thatincludes a radiotelephone transceiver.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an electronic device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In theembodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic devices can be amobile terminal 900, the mobile terminal is described as an example inthe present embodiment. In other embodiments, the electronic device canbe, for example, smart mobile phones, tablets (PDA), laptops, etc. Themobile terminal 900 may include a housing assembly 100. The housingassembly 100 may include a first housing 10, a second housing 20 and aconnecting module 30. The connecting module 30 may be located betweenthe first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The connecting module 30can be configured for coupling the first housing 10 to the secondhousing 20. In the housing assembly 100, the second housing 20 can berotated with respect to the first housing 10 via the connecting module30. The housing assembly 100 can be in a folded configuration, anangular configuration or an unfolded mold. In the folded configuration,the second housing 20 can be rotated with respect to the first housing10, and then be turned over and stacked onto the first housing 10. Inthe unfolded configuration, the first housing 10 and the second housing20 can be substantially arranged in a plane. The angular configurationis a status between the unfolded configuration and the foldedconfiguration. In other words, in the angular configuration, the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20 may form an angle between 0 and180°. In some embodiments, in the angular configuration, the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20 may form an angle more than 180°.The connecting module 30 may be flexible or bendable, or even foldable.When the connecting module 30 is bended, the housing assembly 100 can bein the folded configuration or in the angular configuration. When theconnecting module 30 is straight, the housing assembly 100 can be in theunfolded configuration. The connecting module 30 can also be configuredto prevent a detachment of the second housing 20 and the first housing10 in the folded configuration or the angular configuration.

In one embodiment, the connecting module 30 may include a connectingmember 31 and a coupling member 32. The connecting member 31 isbendable, and even foldable. The first housing 10 and the second housing20 can be angular or stacked by bending the connecting member 31. Insome embodiments, when the connecting member 31 is straight along adirection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the connectingmember 31, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can bearranged in a plane. The coupling member 32 of the connecting module 30may also be bendable, and even foldable. In the folded configuration,the coupling member 32 can be folded to support the folded connectingmember 31. In the unfolded configuration, the coupling member 32 canalso be unfolded to support the unfolded connecting member 31. Further,in one example, the coupling member 32 may be slidably coupled to thefirst housing 10 and the second housing 20. From the unfoldedconfiguration to the folded configuration, the coupling member 32 canslide towards the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. Forexample, the coupling member 32 can slide into the first housing 10 andthe second housing 20. Otherwise, from the unfolded configuration to thefolded configuration, the coupling member 32 can slide away from thefirst housing 10 and the second housing 20. For example, the couplingmember 32 can slide out of the first housing 10 and the second housing20. In another example, the coupling member 32 may be slidably coupledto one of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. From theunfolded configuration to the folded configuration, the coupling member32 can slide towards one of the first housing 10 or the second housing20. For example, the coupling member 32 can slide into one of the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20. From the unfolded configuration tothe folded configuration, the coupling member 32 can slide away from oneof the first housing 10 or the second housing 20. For example, thecoupling member 32 can slide out of the first housing 10 and the secondhousing 20.

The housing assembly 100 can be configured to install a display device200 including a flexible display panel 40. The housing assembly 100 canalso be configured to protect other components such as an electroniccomponent group 300. In the present embodiment, the first housing 10 andthe second housing 20 of the housing assembly 100 may be made of a rigidmaterial. Thus, the housing assembly 100 can provide support andprotection to the flexible display panel 40. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the flexible display panel 40 may include a first portion 41, a secondportion 42 and a third portion 43. The third portion 43 can be locatedbetween the first portion 41 and the second portion 42. One side of thethird portion 43 can be coupled to the first portion 41, the other sideof the third portion 43 can be coupled to the second portion 42. Thefirst housing 10 can be configured for supporting the first portion 41,and the second housing 20 can be configured for supporting the secondportion 42. The connecting module 30 can be configured for supportingthe third portion 43.

The connecting module 30 includes the connecting member 31 and thecoupling member 32. The connecting member 31 can be located between thefirst housing 10 and the second housing 20. One side of the connectingmember 31 is coupled to the first housing 10, the other side of theconnecting member 31 is coupled to the second housing 20. The couplingmember 32 may face the connecting member 31. The coupling member 32 canbe located between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. Oneside of the coupling member 32 is slidably coupled to the first housing10, the other side of the coupling member 32 is slidably coupled to thesecond housing 20. The coupling member 32 can be configured to supportthe connecting member 31. In the folded configuration, the couplingmember 32 can be in contact with the connecting member 31 to support theconnecting member 31.

The first housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2-FIG. 3, may include afirst front cover 11 and a first rear cover 12. The first rear cover 12can be coupled with the first front cover 11 to form a firstaccommodating cavity 13. The first accommodating cavity 13 can beconfigured for accommodating the electronic component group 300 (asillustrated in FIG. 1). The first front cover 11 may have a firstsupporting surface 111. The first supporting surface 111 can beconfigured for supporting the first portion 41 of the flexible displaypanel 40. The first rear cover 12 can be coupled to the first frontcover 11 and located on a side of the first front cover 11 opposite tothe first supporting surface 111. The first rear cover 12 may have afirst rear surface 121 far away from the first front cover 11. The firsthousing 10 may include a first interior portion 14 and a first exteriorportion 15. The first interior portion 14 can be coupled to theconnecting module 30, and the first exterior portion 15 can be far awayfrom the connecting module 30. In the present embodiment, the firstinterior portion 14 is coupled to the connecting member 31 and thecoupling member 32. The connecting member 31 is fixed to the firstinterior portion 14, and the coupling member 32 is slidably coupled tothe first interior portion 14. The first exterior portion 15 isconfigured to be coupled to the first portion 41 of the flexible displaypanel 40. For example, an edge of the first portion 41 far away from thesecond portion 42 is coupled to the first exterior portion 15 of thefirst housing 10. The first portion 41 of the flexible display panel 40can be positioned on the first supporting surface 111. Thus, the firsthousing 10 can support the first portion 41 of the flexible displaypanel 40 effectively.

The coupling member 32 is slidably coupled to the first interior portion14. The first interior portion 14 may have a first groove 16. Thecoupling member 32 can be partially received in the first groove 16.Thus, the coupling member 32 can slide with respect to the firstinterior portion 14. The coupling member 32 can slide either into or outof the first groove 16. As a result, the coupling member 32 will not becompressed by the first housing 10 from the unfolded configuration tothe folded configuration, thereby avoiding a deformation of the couplingmember 32.

In another example, the coupling member 32 can have a groove forpartially receiving the first interior portion 14. Thus, the firstinterior portion 14 can be partially received in the groove of thecoupling member 32. Thus, the coupling member 32 can slide with respectto the first interior portion 14. The first interior portion 14 canslide either into or out of the groove of the coupling member 32.

In the present embodiment, the first groove 16 includes two firstguiding grooves 141 and a number of first auxiliary guiding grooves 142.The first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 are arranged between the twofirst guiding grooves 141. The two first guiding grooves 141 and thefirst auxiliary guiding grooves 142 extend through the first interiorportion 14, thereby forming a number of openings 147 at first interiorportion 14. Each of the two first guiding grooves 141 extends from thefirst interior portion 14 toward the first exterior portion 15. Each ofthe first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 also extends from the first,interior portion 14 toward the first exterior portion 15. An extendingdirection of each of the two first guiding grooves 141 is substantiallyparallel to an extending direction of each of the first auxiliaryguiding grooves 142. The two first guiding grooves 141 are configured toguide the coupling member 32. The coupling member 32 can slide along theextending direction of the two first guiding grooves 141, therebyavoiding a movement along a direction perpendicular to the extendingdirection of the first guiding grooves 141 (i.e., a longitudinaldirection of the first interior portion 14). The first auxiliary guidinggrooves 142 are also configured to guide the coupling member 32. Thecoupling member 32 can slide along the extending direction of the firstauxiliary guiding grooves 142, thereby avoiding a movement along adirection perpendicular to the extending direction of the firstauxiliary guiding grooves 142 (i.e., a longitudinal direction of thefirst interior portion 14). Thus, the coupling member 32 can slide withrespect to the first interior portion 14 of the first housing 10smoothly.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first groove 16 ofthe first housing 10 may only include a guiding groove 140. The guidinggroove 140 can be configured to guide the coupling member 32. Thecoupling member 32 can be partially received in the guiding groove 140.The coupling member 32 can slide either into or out of the guidinggroove 140 with respect to the first interior portion 14 smoothly.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the first interiorportion 14 defines two first mounting grooves 143, thereby forming afirst mounting portion 144 between the two first mounting grooves 143.Thus, the first front cover 11 has a first inner sidewall 112 on thefirst mounting portion 144. The two first mounting grooves 143 arelocated at two ends of the first inner sidewall 112. The two firstmounting grooves 143 are arranged along a longitudinal direction of thefirst inner sidewall 112. Further, the first housing 10 includes anumber of first bearings 145 (for example three bearings 145 areillustrated in FIG. 5) located in each of the two first mounting grooves143. The first housing 10 further includes two second bearings 146disposed on the first inner sidewall 112 face to face. The two secondbearings 146 are separated along the longitudinal direction of the firstinner sidewall 112.

Additionally, the first housing 10 may include two first supporters 17and a first auxiliary supporter 18. The two first supporters 17 can bemounted in the two first mounting grooves 143 one by one. The firstauxiliary supporter 18 can be mounted on the first mounting portion 144.In the present embodiment, each of the two first supporters 17 isinstalled into the corresponding first mounting groove 143 and coupledto the first bearings 145 by screws. The first rear cover 12 may beconfigured to support the first supporter 17 exposed from the firstfront cover 11. Thus, a structure strength of the first housing 10 canbe enhanced. The first auxiliary supporter 18 is coupled to the firstmounting portion 144. One end of the first auxiliary supporter 18 iscoupled to the one of the two second bearings 146 by screw; the otherend of the first auxiliary supporter 18 is coupled to the other of thetwo second bearings 146 by screw. Moreover, one of the two firstsupporters 17 is also coupled to one of the two second bearings 146 byscrew; the other of the two first supporters 17 is also coupled to theother of the two second bearings 146 by screw. Thus, the first housing10 can have a simple structure and the structure strength of the firsthousing 10 can be further enhanced.

Each of the two first supporters 17 can have one first guiding groove141 formed therein. The first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 can beformed in the first auxiliary supporter 18. The coupling member 32 canpass through the two first supporters 17 and the first auxiliarysupporter 18 to be partially received in the two first guiding grooves141 and the first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 and can slide along thetwo first guiding grooves 141 and the first auxiliary guiding grooves142. It is easy to assemble the two first supporters 17 and the firstauxiliary supporter 18 with the coupling member 32. Otherwise, it isalso easy to disassemble the two first supporters 17 and the firstauxiliary supporter 18 from the first front cover 11 to be repaired.

It is noted that, in another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, thefirst mounting grooves 143 and the first mounting portion 144 may bedisposed at the first rear cover 12. Similarly, the two first supporters17 and the first auxiliary supporter 18 can be detachably assembled withthe first rear cover 12.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the firstsupporters 17 includes a first base 171, a first cover plate 172 and twoguiding bars 173. The first cover plate 172 covers the first base 171.The two guiding bars 173 are located between the first base 171 and thefirst cover plate 172. The first base 171 is coupled to the first coverplate 172 by screws. Thus, it is easy to assemble the first base 171with the first cover plate 172. Otherwise, it is also easy todisassemble the two guiding bars 173 from the first base 171 and thefirst cover plate 172 to be cleaned. The coupling member 32 can smoothlyslide in the two first supporters 17. The first base 171 have fourcorners. The four corners are configured to be coupled to the threefirst bearings 145 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) and one second bearing 146(as illustrated in FIG. 5). The first base 171 includes a baseplate 1711and two fixing portions 1712. The two fixing portions 1712 are locatedat two opposite sides of the first base 171. The two fixing portions1712 are configured to be in contact with the first cover plate 172. Thetwo guiding bars 173 can be coupled to the two fixing portions 1712 oneby one by screws. A longitudinal direction of each of the two guidingbars 173 is substantially parallel to a sliding direction of thecoupling member 32 with respect to the first housing 10. In oneexemplary embodiment, each of the guiding bars 173 includes a first side1731 and a second side 1732. The first side 1731 and the second side1732 are located at two opposite sides of the guiding bar 173. Thesecond side 1732 defines a groove 175. A longitudinal direction of thegroove 175 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ofthe guiding bar 173. The two guiding bars 173 can have an identicalstructure. When the two guiding bars 173 are assembled with the firstbase 171 and the first cover plate 172, the groove 175 of one of the twoguiding bars 173 faces the groove 175 of the other of the two guidingbars 173. Thus, the first guiding groove 141 (as illustrated in FIG. 2and FIG. 5) is formed between the two guiding bars 173. The couplingmember 32 can be guided to slide in the two first supporters 17 by thegrooves 175 of the guiding bars 173. As a result, a friction forcebetween the coupling member 32 and the first supporter 17 can bereduced.

The guiding bars 173 can be made of thermoplastic crystalline polymers.Thus, the guiding bars 173 may have properties of wear resistance,self-lubrication and heat resistance. The guiding bars 173 can guide thecoupling member 32 to slide smoothly, absorb a friction heat generatedby sliding the coupling member 32 relative to the first housing 10, andincrease a service life of the first supporter 17.

In one embodiment, each of the two first supporters 17 can be made ofthermoplastic crystalline polymers. The coupling member 32 can be guidedby the first guiding groove 141 formed between the first base 171 andthe first cover plate 172. A friction force of the first supporter 17and the coupling member 32 can be reduced. As illustrated in FIG. 8,each of the two fixing portions 1712 of the first base 171 can have aguiding surface 1713. The guiding surface 1713 of one of the two fixingportions 1712 faces the guiding surface 1713 of the other of the twofixing portions 1712. Thus, the first guiding groove 141 (as illustratedin FIG. 2 and FIG. 5) is formed between the two guiding surfaces 1713.The coupling member 32 may be interposed into the first guiding groove141 and in contact with the two guiding surfaces 1713. Thus, a frictionforce between the coupling member 32 and the two guiding surfaces 1713is very low. Then, the coupling member 32 can slide in the firstsupporter 17 smoothly.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, two guiding plates 1714 aredisposed between the first base 171 and the first cover plate 172separately. One of the two guiding plates 1714 is in contact with thefirst base 171, the other of the two guiding plates 1714 is in contactwith the first cover plate 172. The first base 171 includes a mountingrod 1715 protruding towards the first cover plate 172. Each of theguiding plate 1714 defines a through-hole 1716 therein. The mounting rod1715 can pass through the through-hole 1716 of each of the two guidingplates 1714. Correspondingly, the first cover plate 171 defines a screwhole 1751. A screw 176 can be inserted into the screw hole 1751 and bescrewed into an end of the mounting rod 1715. Thus, the first guidinggroove 141 (as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5) is formed between thetwo guiding plates 1714. The coupling member 32 may be interposed intothe first guiding groove 141 and in contact with the two guiding plates1714. Then, the coupling member 32 can slide in the first supporter 17smoothly.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the firstauxiliary supporter 18 includes a second base 181 and second cover plate182. The second cover plate 182 is configured to be mounted on thesecond base 181. One end of the second cover plate 182 is coupled to oneend of the second base 181 by means of screw; the other end of thesecond cover plate 182 is coupled to the other end of the second base181 by means of screw. Two ends of the first auxiliary supporter 18 arecoupled to the two second bearings 146 of the first inner sidewall 112(as illustrated in FIG. 5) by means of screw. In other words, one end ofthe second base 181 together with one end of the second cover plate 182are coupled to one of the two second bearings 146 by means of screw; theother end of the second base 181 together with the other end of thesecond cover plate 182 are coupled to the other of the two secondbearings 146 by means of screw. A longitudinal direction of the secondbase 181 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ofthe first inner sidewall 112. A longitudinal direction of the secondcover plate 182 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinaldirection of the first inner sidewall 112. The second base 181 is closerto the first rear cover 12 than the second cover plate 182. In otherwords, the second base 181 is located between the second cover plate 182and the first rear cover 12. The first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 (asillustrated in FIG. 5) are formed in the second base 181. The firstauxiliary guiding grooves 142 are arranged along the longitudinaldirection of the second base 181. The second base 181 can be made ofthermoplastic crystalline polymers. Thus, the second base 181 may haveproperties of wear resistance, self-lubrication and heat resistance. Thesecond base 181 can guide the coupling member 32 to slide smoothly,absorb a friction heat generated by sliding the coupling member 32relative to the first housing 10, and increase a service life of thefirst auxiliary supporter 18. The second cover plate 182 can be rigid.The second cover plate 182 can support the second base 181 to avoid thesecond base 181 from being broken. As a result, the second base 181 canbe fixed to the first mounting portion 144 firmly.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the second base 181may have a first mounting surface 1811 facing the second cover plate182. The second cover plate 182 may have a second mounting surface 1821facing the second base 181. An adhesive layer 183 can be disposedbetween the first mounting surface 1811 and the second mounting surface1821. The second cover plate 182 can be adhered to the second base 181by the adhesive layer 183. In still another embodiment, the second base181 can be integrated with the second cover plate 182.

The first housing 10 can be rotated with respect to the second housing20 by the coupling member 32. In a rotating process, the coupling member32 can slide with respect to the first interior portion 14 of the firsthousing 10. A sliding distance of the coupling member 32 relative to thefirst interior portion 14 can be determined by a rotating angle of thefirst housing 10 relative to the second housing 20. In general, thelarger the rotating angle is, the longer the sliding distance of thecoupling member 32 is.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 900 is in thefolded configuration. By a rotation of the first housing 10 with respectto the second housing 20, the first housing 10 can be stacked onto thesecond housing 20 so as to fold the mobile terminal 900. During rotatingthe first housing 10 with respect to the second housing 20, the couplingmember 32 may slide from the first interior portion 14 to the firstexterior portion 15. That is, the coupling member 32 may slide into thefirst housing 10. The coupling member 32 may stop sliding from the firstinterior portion 14 to the first exterior portion 15 until the firsthousing 10 is stacked onto the second housing 20. The first guidinggrooves 141 may have a predetermined length along a direction from thefirst interior portion 14 to the first exterior portion 15 (i.e., theextending direction of the first guiding grooves 141). The predeterminedlength is represented by H. The predetermined length is more than thesliding distance of the coupling member 32 relative to the firstinterior portion 14. Thus, the coupling member 32 sliding into the firstguiding grooves 141 will not be in contact with the first front cover11. The coupling member 32 sliding into the first guiding grooves 141will not damage the first front cover 11. As illustrated in FIG. 14 andFIG. 15, the mobile terminal 900 is in the unfolded configuration. Fromthe folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, the firsthousing 10 may be rotated with respect to the second housing 20. Andthen, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are substantiallyin a plane. During a process from the folded configuration to theunfolded configuration, the coupling member 32 may slide from the firstexterior portion 15 to the first interior portion 14. That is, thecoupling member 32 may slide away from the first exterior portion 15.Furthermore, the first housing 10 can be continually rotated withrespect to the second housing 20 of the mobile terminal 900 in theunfolded configuration. Thus, the mobile terminal 900 can be from theunfolded configuration to the angular configuration. The coupling member32 may continually slide from the first exterior portion 15 to the firstinterior portion 14. A distance of the first interior portion 14 (i.e.,the openings 147) and a side of the coupling member 32 in the angularconfiguration is nearer than a distance of the first interior portion 14(i.e., the openings 147) and the side of the coupling member 32 in theunfolded configuration.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, eachof the two the first supporters 17 includes the first blocking element19. The first blocking element 19 is configured to block the couplingmember 32 to be detached from the first guiding grooves 141 of the firstinterior portion 14 of the first housing 10. In one embodiment, thefirst housing 10 may include two first blocking elements 19. The twofirst blocking elements 19 can be configured to block two ends of a sideof the coupling member 32 to be detached from the first housing 10. Ablocking element may be not necessary for the first auxiliary supporter18. Thus, the first auxiliary supporter 18 can have a simple structure.In one embodiment, each of the two first blocking elements 19 mayinclude a blocking rod 191 and a blocking protrusion 192. The blockingrod 191 is protruded from the base plate 1711 towards the first coverplate 172. The blocking protrusion 192 is protruded from the first coverplate 172 towards the base plate 1711. A surface of the blocking rod 191far away from the base plate 1711 defines a connecting groove 193. Oneend of the blocking protrusion 192 far away from the first cover plate172 is configured to be inserted into the connecting groove 193. Inother words, the end of the blocking protrusion 192 far away from thefirst cover plate 172 can be located in the connecting groove 193. Thus,the first blocking element 19 in the present embodiment may be firm. Theblocking rod 191 can penetrate through the coupling member 32 in thefirst guiding grooves 141. Thus, the blocking rod 191 can block thecoupling member 32 to slide out of the first guiding grooves 141. Thefirst cover plate 172 may have an inner surface 1721. The inner surface1721 faces the first base 171. The blocking protrusion 192 issubstantially located at a center of the inner surface 1721. Theblocking protrusion 192 has a screw hole 194. The first cover plate 172also has a screw hole corresponding to the screw hole 194. A screw 176can be screwed into the corresponding screw hole in the first coverplate 172 and the screw hole 194. Thus, the blocking protrusion 192 isfirmly positioned on the inner surface 1721 of the first cover plate172. Further, the one end of the blocking protrusion 192 far away fromthe first cover plate 172 is in contact with the blocking rod 191 and islocated in the connecting groove 193. A structural stability of thefirst blocking element 19 can be improved. The first blocking element 19will not be broken during a process of blocking the coupling member 32.Thus, the first supporter 17 can have a firm structure.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the first auxiliarysupporter 18 may include the first blocking element 19′. The firstblocking element 19′ can be positioned in the first auxiliary guidinggrooves 142. The first blocking element 19′ is disposed on the secondcover plate 182. For example, the first blocking element 19′ can includea number of protruding rods 184. Each of the first blocking element 19′penetrates the second base 181 and passes through the correspondingfirst auxiliary guiding groove 142. In addition, the first blockingelement 19′ can be coupled to the coupling member 32 in the firstauxiliary guiding grooves 142. Thus, the first blocking element 19′ canprevent the coupling member 32 from sliding out of the first auxiliaryguiding groove 142.

In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the blockingrod 191 may be disposed on the first cover plate 172 towards to thefirst base 171. The first base 171 defines a connecting hole 1722. Theone end of the blocking rod 191 far away from the first cover plate 172can pass through the connecting hole 1722. Thus, the blocking rod 191 islocated between the first cover plate 172 and the first base 171 and inthe first guiding groove 141.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the first blocking element 19 canbe disposed on the coupling member 32. Correspondingly, as illustratedin FIG. 20, the first housing 10 may define a blocking groove 1723. Forexample, the base plate 1711 of the first base 171 of the firstsupporter 17 can define a blocking groove 1723. The blocking groove 1723can be configured for coupling to the first blocking element 19 disposedon the coupling member 32. A longitudinal direction of the blockinggroove 1723 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ofthe first guiding grooves 141 (i.e., the extending direction of thefirst guiding grooves 141). The first blocking element 19 disposed onthe coupling member 32 can have a locating rod 324′ (as illustrated inFIG. 31). The locating rod 324′ can be slidably located in the blockinggroove 1723. Thus, the blocking groove 1723 can prevent the locating rod324′ from sliding out of the blocking groove 1723. Then, the couplingmember 32 can be prevented from sliding out of the first guiding grooves141 and can not be detached from the first housing 10.

In order to prevent the coupling member 32 from sliding out of the firstguiding grooves 141 and the first auxiliary guiding grooves 142, thefirst housing 10 may further include a first blocking element 19. Thefirst blocking element 19 is configured to block the coupling member 32sliding towards to the first interior portion 14. Thus, the couplingmember 32 will not be detached from the first interior portion 14 of thefirst housing 10.

The first housing 10 may further include at least one first locatingelement 110. A location of the coupling member 32 relative to the firsthousing 10 can be fixed by the first locating element. That is, thefirst locating element 100 is configured for locating a location of thefirst connection part 3211 along the sliding direction of firstconnection part 3211. An angle between the first housing 10 and thesecond housing 20 of the mobile terminal 900 in the angularconfiguration is depended on the location of the coupling member 32relative to the first housing 10. It is noted that, the angle betweenthe first housing 10 and the second housing 20 of the mobile terminal900 can be in a range from 0 to 240°. For example, the angle can be 15°,26°, 30°, 38°, 109°, 120°, or 201°.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 again, in the present embodiment,the first locating element 110 is disposed on the first supporter 17.The first locating element 110 is configured to locate the couplingmember 32 in the first guiding groove 141. Thus, the coupling member 32can be located at a predetermined location relative to the first housing10. In the present embodiment, two first locating elements 110 can bedisposed on the first supporter 17. That is, the first locating element110 may be not necessary for the first auxiliary supporter 18. Thus, thefirst housing 10 can have a simple structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 again, the fixing portion 1712 ofthe first base 171 may define a space 17121. The space 17121 is locatedat a side of the fixing portion 1712 far away from the guiding bar 173.Further, the fixing portion 1712 of the first base 171 may define athrough-hole 17122 communicated with the space 17121. An axis of thethrough-hole 17122 is substantially perpendicular to the extendingdirection of first guiding grooves 141. The fixing portion 1712 may havea first rib 17123 disposed in the through-hole 17122. The first rib17123 is located at the end of the through-hole 17122 far away from thespace 17121. The first base 171 may include a shielding plate 1717. Theshielding plate 1717 can be disposed in the space 17121 and coupled tothe fixing portion 1712 by means of screw so as to shield thethrough-hole 17122.

Each of the first locating element 110 may include a locating pin 1101and a compressible elastic unit 1102. The locating pin 1101 isconfigured to be inserted in the through-hole 17122 and slide along theaxis of the through-hole 17122. The compressible elastic unit 1102 canbe compressed between the fixing portion 1712 and the shielding plate1717. The compressible elastic unit 1102 can be a spring. Thecompressible elastic unit 1102 is disposed in the through-hole 17122 andis configured for providing a force to the locating pin 1101 to awayfrom the shielding plate 1717 (i.e., towards the first sliding plate3211). The locating pin 1101 is inserted in the compressible elasticunit 1102. Further, the locating pin 1101 can penetrate through theguiding bar 173. The locating pin 1101 can slide along the axis of thethrough-hole 17122 away from the shielding plate 1717 or towards theshielding plate 1717. The locating pin 1101 may have a second rib 1103.The second rib 1103 is located at the end coupled to the compressibleelastic unit 1102. The second rib 1103 is located in the through-hole17122 and in contact with the first rib 17123. Thus, the locating pin1101 is prevented from sliding out of the through-hole 17122. Asillustrated in FIG. 21, the compressible elastic unit 1102 provides aforce to the locating pin 1101 so that the locating pin 1101 can slideaway from the shielding plate 1717. The locating pin 1101 can be incontact with the coupling member 32. For example, the locating pin 1101can be located in a recess 325 (as illustrated in FIG. 31) of thecoupling member 32. Thus, the coupling member 32 in the first guidinggrooves 141 can stop sliding. As illustrated in FIG. 22, during slidingthe coupling member 32, the end of the locating pin 1101 is in contactwith the sliding surface 3221 (as illustrated in FIG. 31) of thecoupling member 32, the compressible elastic unit 1102 can be stillcompressed and provide a force perpendicular to the extending directionof the first guiding grooves 141 to the locating pin 1101. The locatingpin 1101 can slide on the sliding surface 3221. Thus, the couplingmember 32 in the first guiding groove 141 can slide.

In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the baseplate 1711 can define a through-hole 1724. The locating pin 1101 isslidably disposed in the through-hole 1724. The shielding plate 1717 isattached on a side of the base plate 1711 far away from the first coverplate 172 for shielding the through-hole 1724. The compressible elasticunit 1102 is located in the through-hole 1724 and between the locatingpin 1101 and the shielding plate 1717. The compressible elastic unit1102 is coupled to the locating pin 1101 and the shielding plate 1717.The compressible elastic unit 1102 is configured for providing a forceto the locating pin 1101 to away from the shielding plate 1717. Forexample, the locating pin 1101 can be located in a recess 325 of thefirst connection part 3211 (as illustrated in FIG. 31) of the couplingmember 32. Thus, the coupling member 32 can stop sliding along the firstguiding grooves 141. In addition, the end of the locating pin 1101 canbe in contact with the sliding surface 3221 of the first connection part3211 (as illustrated in FIG. 31) of the coupling member 32 to slide onthe sliding surface 3221. Thus, the coupling member 32 in the firstguiding groove 141 can sliding along the first guiding grooves 141.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, aconfiguration of the end of the locating pin 1101 far away from theshielding plate 1717 is semisphere-shaped. The end of the locating pin1101 far away from the shielding plate 1717 can and slide on the slidingsurface 3221 of the first connection part 3211 in a condition of a forceparallel to the sliding surface 3221. The first housing 10 can berotated relative to the second housing 20. It is noted that, the forceparallel to the sliding surface 3221 applied to a first sliding plate3213 can be generated by the rotation of the first housing 10 withrespect to the second housing 20. In addition, the compressible elasticunit 1102 provides the force towards the first connection part 3211 tothe locating pin 1101. The end of the locating pin 1101 far away fromthe shielding plate 1717 can always be in contact with the firstconnection part 3211 in the first guiding groove 141 and slide into thecorresponding first locating recess 325. Thus, the end of the locatingpin 1101 far away from the shielding plate 1717 is coupled to thecorresponding first locating recess 325 so that the first connectionpart 3211 is prevented from sliding on the sliding surface 3221. Asmentioned above, the configuration of the end of the locating pin 1101far away from the shielding plate 1717 is semisphere-shaped. When theforce parallel to the sliding surface 3221 is still applied to the firstsliding plate 3213 by rotating the first housing 10 with respect to thesecond housing 20, a decomposition force can be generated to be appliedto the locating pin 1101. Thus, the locating pin 1101 can slide far awayfrom the first connection part 3212 to out of the corresponding firstlocating recess 325 in a condition that the decomposition force is morethan the force generated by the compressible elastic unit 1102. Thus,the end of the locating pin 1101 far away from the shielding plate 1717can be coupled to another corresponding first locating recess 325. Inother embodiments, the configuration of the end of the locating pin 1101far away from the shielding plate 1717 can be cone-shaped,wedged-shaped, or other configurations with a sloped surface. Thus, theforce parallel to the sliding surface 3221 applied to the sloped surfaceof the locating pin 1101 can generate a decomposition force parallel toan axis of the locating pin 1101. The locating pin 1101 can slide out ofthe corresponding first locating recess 325 in a condition of thedecomposition force.

It is noted that, the first housing 10 can include a supporter (i.e.,one of the first supporter 17 and the first auxiliary supporter 18, orother supporters with different structure) for coupling to the couplingmember 32. It is also noted that, the coupling member 32 can include asliding plate (i.e., one of the first sliding plate 3213 and the firstauxiliary sliding plate 3214, or other sliding plate with differentstructure) for coupling to the first housing 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, in the presentembodiment, the second housing 20 includes a second front cover 21 and asecond rear cover 22. The second rear cover 22 is coupled to the secondfront cover 21 to form a second accommodating cavity 23. The secondaccommodating cavity 23 is configured for accommodating the electroniccomponent group 300 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). The second front cover21 includes a second supporting surface 211. The second supportingsurface 211 is configured for supporting the second portion 42 of theflexible display panel 40 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). The second rearcover 22 may be coupled to the second front cover 21 and located on aside of the second front cover 21 opposite to the second supportingsurface 211. The second rear cover 22 has a second rear surface 221 faraway from the second front cover 21. The first supporting surface 111and the second supporting surface 221 are configured for supporting theflexible display panel 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the second housing 20 includes asecond interior portion 24 and a second exterior portion 25. The secondinterior portion 24 is coupled to the connecting module 30, and thesecond exterior portion 25 is far away from the connecting module 30. Inthe present embodiment, the second interior portion 24 is coupled to theconnecting member 31 and the coupling member 32. The connecting member31 is fixed to the second interior portion 24, and the coupling member32 is slidably coupled to the second interior portion 24. The secondexterior portion 25 is configured to be coupled to the second portion 42of the flexible display panel 40. For example, an edge of the secondportion 42 far away from the first portion 41 is coupled to the secondexterior portion 25 of the second housing 20. The second portion 42 ofthe flexible display panel 40 is positioned on the second supportingsurface 211. Thus, the second housing 20 can support the second portion42 of the flexible display panel 40 effectively. The second housing 20is similar to the first housing 10, according to the description of thefirst housing 10 (including the first supporter 17, the first auxiliarysupporter 18, the first blocking element 19, the first locating member110, etc.), the corresponding structure of the second housing 20 can beunderstood and not described here. The second housing 20 may include asecond groove similar to the first groove 16 for partially receiving thecoupling member 32. That is, the second housing 20 is configured forreceiving the second connection part 3212 of the coupling member 32. Thecoupling member 32 can be partially received in at least one of thefirst groove 16 and the second groove and is slidable with respect tothe first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 27, when the mobile terminal 900 is in the foldedconfiguration, the first rear surface 121 of the first rear cover 12 canbe attached to the second rear surface 221 of the second rear cover 22.The first supporting surface 111 and the second supporting surface 211are located on two opposite sides of the mobile terminal 900. Asillustrated in FIG. 28, when the mobile terminal 900 is in the unfoldedconfiguration, the first rear surface 121 of the first rear cover 12 canbe aligned to the second rear surface 221 of the second rear cover 22.The first supporting surface 111 and the second supporting surface 211are located on the same side of the mobile terminal 900. That is, thefirst rear surface 121 of the first rear cover 12 and the second rearsurface 221 of the second rear cover 22 are coplanar. The firstsupporting surface 111 and the second supporting surface 221 areconfigured for supporting the flexible display panel 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, in one embodiment, the firsthousing 10 may include a protruding portion 122. The protruding portion122 is positioned on the first rear surface 121. The protruding portion122 can be formed by a part of the other component such as an end of acamera, an end of a flash light or an end of a press button. That is,the protruding portion 122 is protruded from the first rear surface 121.Thus, a distance between the first supporting surface 111 and the firstrear surface 121 can be reduced. A thickness of the first housing 10 canbe reduced, thereby achieving a thin design. Correspondingly, the secondrear surface 221 of the second housing 20 may define an indentation 222.In the folded configuration of the mobile terminal 900, the protrudingportion 122 can be inserted into the indentation 222 so that the firstrear surface 121 is attached to the second rear surface 221. A depth ofindentation 222 can be either more than or equal to a height of theprotruding portion 122 protruding from the first rear surface 121. Thus,in the folded configuration of the mobile terminal 900, the protrudingportion 122 can be received in the indentation 222, and the protrudingportion 122 will not be in contact with the second housing 20.Therefore, a service life of the housing assembly 100 can be increased,and the housing assembly 100 in the folded configuration can have a goodappearance.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 28, in another embodiment, thefirst housing 10 can define an aperture 123 through the first rearsurface 121. Thus, the other component in the first housing 10 can passthrough the aperture 123. For example, an end of the camera, an end ofthe flash light or an end of the press button can pass through theaperture 123 to be located outside of the first rear cover 12 of thefirst housing 10. Thus, the protruding portion 122 is formed by the endof the camera, the end of the flash light or the end of the press buttonoutside the first rear cover 12. In the folded configuration of themobile terminal 900, the aperture 123 may substantially face theindentation 222 so that the protruding portion 122 can be received inthe indentation 222. And then, the first rear surface 121 can beattached to the second rear surface 221.

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 900 can be in the foldedconfiguration, the angular configuration, or the unfolded configuration.From the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration or theangular configuration, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20are close to each other by bending the connecting member 31 of theconnecting module 30. From the folded configuration to the unfoldedconfiguration or the angular configuration, the first housing 10 and thesecond housing 20 are far away from each other.

The connecting member 31 is configured to couple the first housing 10 tothe second housing 20. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the connecting member31 may include a first connecting portion 311, a second connectingportion 312 and a body portion 318 between the first connecting portion311 and the second connecting portion 312. The first connecting portion311 and the second connecting portion 312 are located at two oppositesides of a longitudinal central line of the body portion 318. The firstconnecting portion 311 is configured to be coupled to the first housing10, and the second connecting portion 312 is configured to be coupled tothe second housing 20. The connecting member 31 is bendable, and evenfoldable. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be angularor stacked by bending the connecting member 31. The first connectingportion 311, the second connecting portion 312 and the body portion 318can be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the first connectingportion 311, the second connecting portion 312 and the body portion 318can be individually formed and coupled.

The body portion 318 may include a first connecting side 313 and asecond connecting side 313′. The first connecting portion 311 and thesecond connecting portion 312 are located two opposite sides of theconnecting member 31. The first connecting side 313 and the secondconnecting side 313′ are opposite and located between the firstconnecting portion 311 and the second connecting portion 312. A lengthof the first connecting portion 311 is equal to a length of the secondconnecting portion 312. The length of the first connecting portion 311is more than a length of each of the first connecting side 313 and thesecond connecting side 313′. The first connecting portion 311 isconfigured to be coupled to the first interior portion 14 of the firsthousing 10 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). The second connecting portion 312is configured to be coupled to the second interior portion 24 of secondhousing 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 28). In one embodiment, the firstconnecting portion 311 is welded to the first interior portion 14, i.e.,the first connecting portion 311 is welded to the second cover plate 182and the first cover plate 172 (as illustrated in FIG. 27). The secondconnecting portion 312 is welded to the second interior portion 24. Thebody portion 318 defines a number of through holes 314 therein. Thethrough holes 314 are arranged along a longitudinal direction of thebody portion 318. The through holes 314 are equally spaced. Each of thethrough holes 314 is strip-shaped, a longitudinal direction of each ofthe through holes 314 is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction ofthe body portion 318. That is, the longitudinal direction of each of thethrough holes 314 is substantially parallel to the first connecting side313 and the second connecting side 313′. The through holes 314 canreduce an elastic stress of the connecting member 31 during bending thebody portion 318. Thus, a force applied to the flexible display panel 40by the connecting member 31 can be reduced. It is noted that, aconfiguration of each of the through holes 314 can be circle.

The first connecting portion 311 and the second connecting portion 312may be close to each other by bending the body portion 318. The firsthousing 10 can move with the first connecting portion 311, and thesecond housing 20 can move with the second connecting portion 312. Thus,the first housing 10 can be rotated relative to the second housing 20 tobe close to each other, and then the mobile terminal 900 is folded bybending the body portion 318. Otherwise, the first housing 10 can berotated relative to the second housing 20 to be far away from eachother, and then the mobile terminal 900 is unfolded. The coupling member32 can be also folded or unfolded during bending or unbending the bodyportion 318 correspondingly. The first connecting side 313 and thesecond connecting side 313′ are overlapped with two opposite sides ofthe flexible display panel 40. Thus, the connecting member 31 cansupport the flexible display panel 40 and the housing assembly 100 canhave a good appearance. The connecting member 31 can be made of anelastic steel sheet. Thus, the connecting member 31 can support theflexible display panel 40 effectively.

It is noted that, the first connecting portion 311 of the connectingmember 31 can be coupled to the first housing 10 by means of screw. Thesecond connecting portion 312 of the connecting member 31 can be coupledto the first housing 10 by means of screw.

Further, the body portion 318 may define a number of welding holes 315therein. The welding holes 315 can be arranged along a longitudinaldirection of the body portion 318. Each of the welding holes 315 has ageometric center, the geometric centers of the welding holes 315 arearranged along the longitudinal central line of the body portion 318.The welding holes 315 are configured for welding the coupling member 32to the body portion 318. Thus, the coupling member 32 welded to the bodyportion 318 can be prevented from a movement along a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion 318(i.e., perpendicular to a sliding direction of the coupling member 32)with respect to the connecting member 31.

As illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, in an exemplary embodiment, thecoupling member 32 may include a first connection part 3211 (a part in aregion defined by a dotted line) and a second connection part 3212 (apart in a region defined by a dotted line). The first connection part3211 is slidably coupled to the first housing 10, and the secondconnection part 3212 is slidably coupled to the second housing 20. In anexemplary embodiment, the first connection part 3211 may include twofirst sliding plates 3213 and a number of first auxiliary sliding plates3214 located between the two first sliding plates 3213. The two firstsliding plates 3213 are located in the two first guiding grooves 141respectively and can slide in the corresponding first guiding groove 141(as illustrated in FIG. 2) with respect to the first housing 10. Each ofthe first auxiliary sliding plates 3214 is located in the correspondingfirst auxiliary guiding groove 142 and can slide in the correspondingfirst auxiliary guiding groove 142 with respect to the first housing 10.A longitudinal direction of each of the two the first sliding plates3213 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of theguiding bar 173. Additionally, each of the two first sliding plates 3213is substantially parallel to the first supporting surface 111. Each ofthe two first sliding plate 3213 includes two sliding surfaces 3221. Thetwo sliding surfaces 3221 are located on two opposite sides of the firstsliding plate 3213. The two sliding surfaces 3221 are parallel to eachother, and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first slidingplate 3213. The two side surfaces 3221 are in contact with the surfacesof the guiding bar 173 in the two grooves 175. Thus, the first slidingplate 3211 can slide in the first guiding groove 141 formed by thegrooves 175 of the two guiding bars 173. A sliding direction of thefirst connection part 3211 with respect to the first housing 10 isperpendicular to the hinge shaft 329. Each of the first auxiliarysliding plate 3214 is also substantially parallel to the firstsupporting surface 111. A longitudinal direction of each of the firstauxiliary sliding plate 3214 is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213. The firstauxiliary sliding plates 3214 are spaced and arranged between the twofirst sliding plate 3213. The first auxiliary sliding plate 3214 canslide in the first auxiliary guiding groove 142. A lateral surface ofthe first auxiliary sliding plate 3214 is in contact with the firstauxiliary guiding grooves 142. Thus, the first auxiliary sliding plate3214 can slide with respect to the first housing 10 smoothly. A slidingdirection of the second connection part 3212 with respect to the secondhousing 20 is substantially perpendicular to the hinge shaft 329.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second connection part 3212 may includetwo second sliding plates 3215 and a number of second auxiliary slidingplates 3216. The second auxiliary sliding plates 3216 are locatedbetween the two second sliding plates 3215. The two second slidingplates 3215 are slidably coupled to the second housing 20 (i.e., thesecond supporter of the second housing 20, the second supporter issimilar to the first supporter 17 and not described here). The twosecond sliding plates 3215 can slide in two first guiding grooves 141defined in the second supporter of the second housing 20. The secondauxiliary sliding plates 3216 are slidably coupled to the second housing20 (i.e., the second auxiliary supporter of the second housing 20, thesecond auxiliary supporter is similar to the first auxiliary supporter18 and not described here). The second auxiliary sliding plates 3216 canslide in a number of first auxiliary guiding grooves 142 defined in thesecond auxiliary supporter of the second housing 20. Each of the secondsliding plates 3215 is similar to the first sliding plate 3213, and eachof the second auxiliary sliding plates 3216 is similar to the firstauxiliary sliding plate 3214.

As described above, the first housing 10 may include the first blockingelement 19 (as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15) so as to prevent adetachment of the first connection part 3211 of the coupling member 32and the first housing 10 and a detachment of the second connection part3212 of the coupling member 32 and the second housing 20.Correspondingly, the first connection part 3211 may define a firstblocking groove 324. The first blocking element 19 of the first housing10 is disposed in the first blocking groove 324 and can slide along alongitudinal direction of the first blocking groove 324. Thus, the firstconnection part 3211 of the coupling member 32 will not be detached fromthe first housing 10, and the second connection part 3212 of thecoupling member 32 will not be detached from the second housing 20.Similarly, the second connection part 3212 may define a second blockinggroove coupled to the second blocking element of the second housing 20.The second blocking element can be disposed at the second supporter, thesecond sliding plate of the second connection part 3212 can define asecond blocking groove. The second blocking element is slidably disposedin the second blocking groove, a longitudinal direction of the secondblocking groove is parallel to a sliding direction of the second slidingplate of the second connection part 3212. The second blocking groove issimilar to the first blocking groove 324, and the second blocking memberis similar to the first blocking element 19. A longitudinal direction ofthe second blocking groove is parallel to a sliding direction of thesecond sliding plate 3212.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 32, the first blockinggroove 324 is defined in the first sliding plate 3213. A profile of thefirst blocking groove 324 is runway-shaped. In other words, the firstblocking groove 324 is substantially striped-shaped. Each of two ends ofthe first blocking groove 324 has a profile of semicircle-shaped. Thelongitudinal direction of the first blocking groove 324 is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213(i.e., a sliding direction of the first sliding plate 3213 of the firstconnection part 3211). The first blocking element 19 can penetratethrough the first blocking groove 324 and slide in the first blockinggroove 324 along the longitudinal direction of the first blocking groove324. A diameter of the blocking rod 191 of the first blocking element 19is substantially equal to a width of the first blocking groove 324.Thus, the blocking rod 191 can only slide in the first blocking groove324 along the longitudinal direction of the first blocking groove 324.That is, the blocking rod 191 can not slide in the first blocking groove324 along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thefirst blocking groove 324. As illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 32, theblocking rod 191 is located at the end of the first blocking groove 324towards the first exterior portion 15. The first sliding plate 3213 cannot slide towards the first exterior portion 15 due to the blocking rod191. Thus, the first sliding plate 3213 is prevented from sliding out ofthe first guiding groove 141. The coupling member 32 will not bedetached from the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. Asillustrated in FIG. 33, the mobile terminal 900 is in the angularconfiguration. The rotating angle of the first housing 10 with respectto the second housing 20 is maximum. For example, the rotating angle canbe more than 180°. In the angular configuration, the mobile terminal 900can be used as a laptop.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 34, a firstconnection part 3211 may include a first sliding plate 3213. The firstsliding plate 3213 can have a first blocking rod 324′ disposed thereon.Correspondingly, the first housing 10 may define a blocking groove 1723(as illustrated in FIG. 20). The blocking groove 1723 can be formed inthe base plate 1711 of the first base 171. The first locating rod 324′can be slidably located in the blocking groove 1723.

As also described above, the first housing 10 may include the firstlocating element 110 (as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15) so as tolocate the first connection part 3211 and the second connection part3212 in a predetermined position. Thus, the mobile terminal 900 can bein the angular configuration with a predetermined angel.Correspondingly, the first connection part 3211 may define a number offirst locating recesses 325. A sliding distance of the first connectionpart 3211 of the coupling member 32 relative to the first housing 10 canbe determined by a position of each of the first locating recesses 325.The sliding distance can be depended on an angle between the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20 of the mobile terminal 900 in theangular configuration. During sliding the coupling member 32, the firstlocating element 110 can be located into one of the first locatingrecesses 325. Similarly, the second connection part 3212 may define anumber of second locating recesses, the second housing 20 may include asecond locating element coupled to one of the second locating recesses.The second locating member can be disposed at the second supporter. Thesecond sliding plate defines a number of second locating recesses. Thesecond locating member is configured to couple to one of the number ofsecond locating recesses so that the coupling member 32 can stop slidingwith respect to the second housing 20. The second locating recesses aresimilar to the first locating recesses 325, and the second locatingelement is similar to the first locating element 110. The secondlocating element is configured for locating a location of the secondconnection part 3212 along the sliding direction of second connectionpart 3212.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 31 again, the firstlocating recesses 325 are defined at the two sliding surfaces 3221. Thefirst locating recesses 325 are spaced and arranged along thelongitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213 (i.e., thesliding direction of the first sliding plate 3213). As illustrated inFIG. 32, the first housing 10 can be rotated with respect to the secondhousing 20. The first connection part 3211 of the coupling member 32 canslide with respect to the first housing 10. The first sliding plate 3213can slide in the first guiding groove 141 in a condition of a forceparallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213.The first connection part 3211 of the coupling member 32 can slide untilthe locating pin 1101 enters into the locating recess 325. Thecompressible elastic unit 1102 can provide a force perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213 to the locatingpin 1101. Thus, the locating pin 1101 can be received in the locatingrecess 325. And then, the first sliding plate 3213 stop sliding in thefirst guiding groove 141. The angle of the first housing 10 and thesecond housing 20 can be maintained. The mobile terminal 900 can be inthe angular configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, thefirst locating element 110″ is disposed between the first supporter 17of the first housing 10 and the first sliding plate 3213. The fixingportion 1712 has the guiding surface 1713 (also as illustrated in FIG.8). The guiding surface 1713 is substantially perpendicular to the baseplate 1711. The guiding surface 1713 of the fixing portion 1712 candefine a recess 1104. The recess 1104 is configured for receiving thefirst locating element 110″. The first sliding plate 3213 of the firstconnection part 3211 may have a number of splinters 3222. The splinters3222 are disposed on the two sliding surfaces 3221. The splinters 3222on one of the sliding surfaces 3221 are arranged separately along thelongitudinal direction of the first sliding plate 3213. Each of thesplinters 3222 includes a fixing end 3223, a contact end 3224 and anelastic arm 3225. The fixing end 3223 is coupled to the sliding surface3221 of the first slide plate 3213. The contact end 3224 is far awayfrom the sliding surface 3221 of the first sliding plate 3213. Theelastic arm 3225 is coupled between the fixing end 3223 and the contactend 3224. The elastic arm 3225 can provide a force to the contact end3224 away from the sliding surface 3221 of the first sliding plate 3213.When the contact end 3224 is received in one of the recesses 1104, theelastic arm 3325 can provide a force perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the first sliding plate 3213 to the contact end 3224 (i.e.,the sliding direction of the first sliding plate 3213). The firstsliding plate 3213 may stop sliding in the first guiding groove 141. Andthen, the angle of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can bemaintained. The mobile terminal 900 can be in the angular configuration.It is noted that, a force parallel to the sliding surface 3221 of thefirst slide plate 3213 can be applied to the first sliding plate 3213.Thus, the elastic arm 3225 can be compressed and the contact end 3224can slide out of the recess 1104 into the next recess 1104. And then,another angle of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can bemaintained.

As illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG. 37, the coupling member 32 includes alinkage part 326 (a part located in a region defined by a dotted line inFIG. 30). The linkage part 326 includes at least one first hinge element327, at least one second hinge element 328 and a hinge shaft 329 forpivotally coupling the first hinge element 327 and the second hingeelement 328. The first hinge element 327 can be rotated with respect tothe second hinge element 328 by the hinge shaft 329. The firstconnection part 3211 and the second connection part 3212 can be eitherclose to or far away from each other by a rotation of one of the firsthinge element 327 of the linkage part 326 and the second hinge element328 of the linkage part 326 around the hinge shaft 329. The firstconnection part 3211 is configured to be slidably coupled the firsthousing 10, the second connection part 3212 is configured to be slidablycoupled the second housing 20. An arrangement direction of the two firstsliding plate 3213 of each of the first connection part 3211 issubstantially parallel to the hinge shaft 329. The first connection part3211 and the second connection part 3212 of the coupling member 32 aresymmetrical with respect to the hinge shaft 329. A distance of the hingeshaft 329 and the first housing 10 is substantially equal to a distanceof the hinge shaft 329 and the second housing 20. The hinge shaft 329 issubstantially overlapped with a geometric central line of the connectingmember 31. The linkage part 326 can be folded and unfolded, by rotatingone of the first hinge element 327 and the second hinge element 328around the hinge shaft 329. The linkage part 326 can be configured tosupport the connecting member 31. In one exemplary embodiment, thelinkage part 326 may include a number of first hinge elements 327 and anumber of second hinge elements 328. The first hinge elements 327 arearranged along the longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft 329. Thesecond hinge elements 328 are arranged along the longitudinal directionof the hinge shaft 329. The first hinge elements 327 and the secondhinge elements 328 are alternatively arranged along the longitudinaldirection of the hinge shaft 329.

In one exemplary embodiment, the linkage part 326 may include one firsthinge element 327 and one second hinge element 328. The first hingeelement 327 can define a groove, the second hinge element 328 can have aprotrusion received into the groove. The first shaft 329 may pass thegroove and penetrate the protrusion so that the hinge shaft 329 canpivotally couple the first hinge element 327 and the second hingeelement 328.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, the first hinge element 327 may include afirst interior side 3271, a first exterior side 3272 and two firstsidewalls 3273. The first interior side 3271 and the first exterior side3272 are located at two opposite sides of the first hinge element 327.The two first sidewalls 3273 are located on two opposite sides of thefirst hinge element 327. Each of the two first sidewalls 3273 isadjacent to the first interior side 3271 and the first exterior side3272. One of the two first sidewalls 3273 defines a shaft hole near tothe first interior side 3271. The hinge shaft 329 can pass through theshaft hole. Thus, the hinge shaft 329 can penetrate through firstinterior side 3271 of the first hinge element 327. The first hingeelement 327 can be rotated around the hinge shaft 329. The firstinterior side 3271 is rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft 329. Inaddition, the first interior side 3271 can have a curved surface. Aprofile of a cross-section of the curved surface is semicircle-shaped. Acentral axis of the semicircle-shaped profile can be overlapped with theaxis of the hinge shaft 329. Thus, during rotating the first hingeelement 327 and the second hinge element 328, the first hinge element327 and the second hinge element 328 will not be interfered with eachother. The first exterior side 3272 can have a similar structure so asto avoid an interference caused by the first exterior side 3272 to theother component. The first exterior side 3272 can also be pivotallycoupled with the first connection part 3211. The first hinge element 327can be made of metal. An anodic oxidation treatment can be applied to asurface of the first hinge element 327. Thus, the first hinge element327 can have a good appearance. In one exemplary embodiment, the firsthinge element 327 can be curved. Thus, the first hinge element 327 canprovide a support to the connecting member 31.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, the second hinge element 328 may include asecond interior side 3281, a second exterior side 3282 and two secondsidewalls 3283. The second interior side 3281 and the second exteriorside 3282 are located at two opposite sides of the second hinge element328. The two second sidewalls 3283 are located on two opposite sides ofthe second hinge element 328. Each of the two second sidewalls 3283 isadjacent to the second interior side 3281 and the second exterior side3282. One of the two second sidewalls 3283 defines a shaft hole near tothe second interior side 3281. The hinge shaft 329 can pass through theshaft hole. Thus, the hinge shaft 329 can penetrate through secondinterior side 3281 of the second hinge element 328. The second interiorside 3281 is rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft 329. The secondsidewall 3283 is substantially parallel to the first sidewall 3273. Agap is formed between the second sidewall 3283 and the first sidewall3273. Thus, the second hinge element 328 can be rotated around the hingeshaft 329 with respect to the first hinge element 327 smoothly. Inaddition, the second interior side 3281 can have a curved surface. Aprofile of a cross-section of the curved surface is semicircle-shaped. Acentral axis of the semicircle-shaped profile can be overlapped with theaxis of the hinge shaft 329. Thus, during rotating the first hingeelement 327 and the second hinge element 328, the first hinge element327 and the second hinge element 328 will not be interfered with eachother. The second exterior side 3282 can have a similar structure so asto avoid an interference caused by the second exterior side 3282 to theother component. The second exterior side 3282 can also be pivotallycoupled with the second connection part 3212. The second hinge element328 can be made of metal. An anodic oxidation treatment can be appliedto a surface of the second hinge element 328. Thus, the second hingeelement 328 can have a good appearance.

Further, the coupling member 32 may include a damping mechanism 33. Thedamping mechanism 33 is configured to provide a damping force to thefirst hinge element 327 and the second hinge element 328 during rotatingthe first hinge element 327 with respect to the second hinge element328. In a condition of the damping force, a position of the first hingeelement 327 relative to the second hinge element 328 can be maintained.Thus, the angle of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can bemaintained. That is, the mobile terminal 900 can be maintained in thefolded configuration or the angular configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, in the presentembodiment, the damping mechanism 33 may include a damping member 331.The damping member 331 includes a first damping ring 3311 and a seconddamping ring 3312. The first damping ring 3311 is sleeved on the hingeshaft 329 and is coupled to the first hinge element 327. The firstdamping ring 3311 can be rotated with the first hinge element 327. Thesecond damping ring 3312 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 329 and iscoupled to the second hinge element 328. The second damping ring 3312can be rotated with the second hinge element 328. The first damping ring3311 has a rough surface, and the second damping ring 3312 also has arough surface. The first damping ring 3311 is in contact with the seconddamping ring 3312 to generate a damping force. The first damping ring3311 is made of wear resistant material. The second damping ring 3312 isalso made of wear resistant material. In one exemplary embodiment, thedamping mechanism 33 may include a number of damping members 331. Eachof the damping members 331 is located between the first hinge element327 and the second hinge element 328 adjacent to the first hinge element327. Each of the first damping rings 3311 is in contact with thecorresponding second damping ring 3312. A damping force can be generateddue to a rotation of the first damping ring 3311 with respect to thesecond damping ring 3312. The first damping ring 3311 is fixed to thefirst sidewall 3273 of the first hinge element 327, and the seconddamping ring 3312 is fixed to the second sidewall 3283 of the secondhinge element 328 adjacent to the first hinge element 327 along thehinge shaft 329. The damping force generated can be transmitted to thefirst hinge element 327 and the second hinge element 328. The firsthinge element 327 and the second hinge element 328 can stop rotating ina condition of the damping force. When an external force is less thanthe damping force, the first hinge element 327 can be static relative tothe second hinge element 328. At this time, the connecting member 31 canmaintain a predetermined configuration. Thus, a position of the firsthousing 10 relative to the second housing 20 is not changed. When anexternal force is more than the damping force, the first hinge element327 can be rotated relative to the second hinge element 328. At thistime, the connecting member 31 can be bent and the configuration of theconnecting member 31 is changed. Thus, the first housing 10 can also berotated relative to the second housing 20. That is, a position of thefirst housing 10 relative to the second housing 20 can be changed.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 37, FIG. 38 and FIG.39, the damping member 331 can further include the first elastic ring3313, a second elastic ring 3314, a first clasp ring 3315 and a secondclasp ring 3316. The first elastic ring 3313 is sleeved on the hingeshaft 329, and is located between the first sidewall 3273 of the firsthinge element 327 and the first damping ring 3311. The second elasticring 3314 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 329, and is located between thesecond sidewall 3283 of the second hinge element 328 and the seconddamping ring 3312. The first elastic ring 3313 can apply a force to thefirst damping ring 3311, and the second elastic ring 3314 can apply aforce to the second damping ring 3312. Thus, the first damping ring 3311can be in contact with the second damping ring 3312. The first claspring 3315 is also sleeved on the hinge shaft 329. The first elastic ring3313 is compressed and located between the first damping ring 3311 andthe first clasp ring 3315. The first clasp ring 3315 is configured toblock the first elastic ring 3313. That is, the first clasp ring 3315 isconfigured to prevent the first elastic ring 3313 from moving along thehinge shaft 329. The second clasp ring 3316 is also sleeved on the hingeshaft 329. The second elastic ring 3314 is compressed and locatedbetween the second damping ring 3312 and the second clasp ring 3316. Thesecond clasp ring 3316 is configured to block the second elastic ring3314. That is, the second clasp ring 3316 is configured to prevent thesecond elastic ring 3314 from moving along the hinge shaft 329.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 40, the dampingmechanism 33 may include a number of first ratchets 336 disposed on thefirst sidewall 3273 and a number of second ratchets 337 disposed on thesecond sidewall 3283. The first ratchets 336 are arranged around thehinge shaft 329, the second ratchets 337 are arranged around the hingeshaft the 329. The first ratchets 336 of the first hinge element 327 canbe in contact with the second ratchets 337 of the second hinge element328 adjacent to the first hinge element 327 along the hinge shaft 329.Thus, a damping force is generated to the first hinge element 327 andthe second hinge element 328 during rotating the first hinge element 327with respect to the second hinge element 328.

In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge shaft 329 may include a number ofshort rods. Each of the short rods penetrates the first hinge element327 and the second hinge element 328. The first clasp ring 3315 and thesecond clasp ring 3316 are sleeved on the short rod and located at twoends of the short rod. Thus, it is convenient for the first dampingmember 331 to be assembled with the first hinge element 327 and thesecond hinge element 328. The first sidewall 3273 defines a firstdepression 3274, and the second sidewall 3283 defines a seconddepression 3284. The first hinge element 327 has a first inner surfacein the first depression 3274, and the second hinge element 328 has asecond inner surface in the second depression 3284. The first dampingring 3311 is located in the first depression 3274 and the second dampingring 3312 is located in the second depression 3284. Thus, the firstdamping ring 3311 is prevented from being rotated relative to the firsthinge element 327 in the first depression 3274, and the second dampingring 3312 is prevented from being rotated relative to the second hingeelement 328 in the second depression 3284. The first elastic ring 3313is also located in the first depression 3274, and the second elasticring 3314 is also located in the second depression 3284. Thus, a gapbetween the first hinge element 327 and the second hinge element 328adjacent to the first hinge element 327 along the hinge shaft 329 can bereduced. A performance of the linkage part 326 for supporting theconnecting member 31 can be improved. The first clasp ring 3315 islocated at an end of the first depression 3274 far away from the secondhinge element 328, and the second clasp ring 3316 is located at an endof the second depression 3284 far away from the first hinge element 327.A gap can be formed between the first clasp ring 3315 and the firstinner surface of the first hinge element 327, and a gap can be formedbetween the second clasp ring 3316 and the second inner surface of thesecond hinge element 328. Thus, the first elastic ring 3313 will notdamage the first hinge element 327, and the second elastic ring 3314will not damage the second hinge element 328. In one exemplaryembodiment, the first elastic ring 3313 can also be a spring, and thesecond elastic ring 3314 can be a spring.

As illustrated in FIG. 41, in the present embodiment, the linkage part326 can further include a third hinge element 333, a fourth hingeelement 334, a first auxiliary hinge shaft 335 and a second auxiliaryhinge shaft 336. The third hinge element 333 can be made of metal. Ananodic oxidation treatment can be applied to a surface of the thirdhinge element 333. Thus, the third hinge element 333 and the first hingeelement 327 can have identical appearance. The fourth hinge element 334can be made of metal. An anodico xidation treatment can be applied to asurface of the fourth hinge element 334. Thus, the fourth hinge element334 and the first hinge element 327 can have identical appearance. Inone exemplary embodiment, the first hinge element 327 can be curved. Thethird hinge element 333 is pivotally coupled with the first exteriorside 3271 of the first hinge element 327 by the first auxiliary hingeshaft 335. The fourth hinge element 334 is pivotally coupled with thesecond exterior side 3282 of the second hinge element 328 by the secondauxiliary hinge shaft 336.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335 issubstantially parallel to the hinge shaft 329. The third hinge element333 includes a third interior side 3331, a third exterior side 3332 andtwo third sidewalls 3333. The third interior side 3331 and the thirdexterior side 3332 are located at two opposite sides of the third hingeelement 333. The two third sidewalls 3333 are located on two oppositesides of the third hinge element 333. Each of the two third sidewalls3333 is adjacent to the third interior side 3331 and the third exteriorside 3332. One of the two third sidewalls 3333 defines a shaft hole nearto the third interior side 3331. The first auxiliary hinge shaft 335 canpass through the shaft hole. The third hinge element 333 can be rotatedaround the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335. That is, the third hingeelement 333 is pivotally coupled with the first hinge element 327 by thefirst auxiliary hinge shaft 335. In addition, the first auxiliary hingeshaft 335 can pass through the shaft hole formed in the first exteriorside 3272 of the first hinge element 327. Thus, the third couplingmember 333 is pivotally coupled with the first hinge element 327 by thefirst auxiliary hinge shaft 335. The third coupling member 333 can berotated relative to the first hinge element 327. In one exemplaryembodiment, the linkage part 326 can further include a number of thirdhinge elements 333 and a number of first hinge elements 327. The thirdhinge elements 333 and the first hinge elements 327 are arrangedalternatively along the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335.

Additionally, one of the two third sidewalls 3333 of the third hingeelement 333 may have a first extending portion 3334. An extendingdirection of the first extending portion 3334 is substantially parallelto the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335. An extending length issubstantially equal to a distance of the two first sidewalls 3273 of thetwo adjacent first hinge elements 327 along the first auxiliary hingeshaft 335. The first extending portion 3334 of one of the two adjacentthird hinge elements 333 along the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335 is incontact with the third sidewall 3333 of the other of the two adjacentthird hinge elements 333 along the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335.Thus, a contact area of the linkage part 326 and the connecting member31 can be increased. The performance of the linkage part 326 forsupporting the connecting member 31 can be improved.

The first connection part 3211 is coupled to the first hinge element 327by the third hinge element 333. The first connection part 3211 (asillustrated in FIG. 30) of the coupling member 32 may include a numberof third exterior sides 3332 of the third hinge elements 333. The twofirst sliding plate 3213 are coupled to the third exterior sides 3332 ofthe third hinge elements 333 at two ends of the first auxiliary hingeshaft 335 respectively. Each of the first sliding plates 3213 can beintegrated with the corresponding third hinge element 333 at the end ofthe first auxiliary hinge shaft 335. The third exterior side 3213 has aside surface. For example, the side surface is a plane. The firstsliding plate 3213 is substantially perpendicular to the side surface ofthe third exterior side 3213. The first auxiliary sliding plates 3214are coupled to the third exterior sides 3332 of the third hinge elements333 except the third hinge element 333 at the end of the first auxiliaryhinge shaft 335. And then, the third hinge elements 333 can be slidablycoupled to the first housing 10 by the first sliding plate 3213 and thefirst auxiliary sliding plates 3214. Thus, the first connection part3211 of the coupling member 32 can be slidably coupled to the firsthousing 10.

In one exemplary embodiment, the third sidewall 3333 of the third hingeelement 333 can be substantially parallel to the first sidewall 3273 ofthe first hinge element 327. A gap can be formed between the thirdsidewall 3333 of the third hinge element 333 and the first sidewall 3273of the first hinge element 327 adjacent to the third hinge element 333along the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335. Thus, the first hinge element327 can be rotated relative to the third hinge element 333 smoothly. Inaddition, the third interior side 3331 can be have a curved surface. Aprofile of a cross-section of the curved surface is semicircle-shaped. Acentral axis of the semicircle-shaped profile can be overlapped with theaxis of the first auxiliary hinge shaft 335. Thus, during rotating thethird hinge element 333 and the first hinge element 327, the first hingeelement 327 and the third hinge element 333 will not be interfered witheach other. Moreover, the first extending portion 3334 may have a curvedsurface facing the first hinge element 327. A profile of a cross-sectionof the curved surface is also semicircle-shaped.

The damping mechanism 33 may further include a first auxiliary dampingmember 332. Each of the first auxiliary damping members 332 is locatedbetween the first hinge element 327 and the third hinge element 333adjacent to the first hinge element 327 along the first auxiliary hingeshaft 335. The first auxiliary damping member 332 is configured toprovide a damping force to the first hinge element 327 and the thirdhinge element 333 during rotating the first hinge element 327 withrespect to the third hinge element 333. In a condition of the dampingforce, a position of the third hinge element 333 relative to the firsthinge element 327 can be maintained. Thus, the angle of the firsthousing 10 and the second housing 20 can be maintained.

As illustrated in FIG. 39 and FIG. 41, the first auxiliary dampingmember 332 is similar to the damping member 331. A first elastic ring3315 of the first auxiliary damping member 332 is sleeved on the firstauxiliary hinge shaft 325 and located between the first hinge element327 and a first damping ring 3311 of the first auxiliary damping member332. A second elastic ring 3314 of the first auxiliary damping member332 is sleeved on the first auxiliary hinge shaft 325 and locatedbetween the third hinge element 333 and the second damping ring 3312 ofthe first auxiliary damping member 332.

The fourth hinge element 334 is similar to the third hinge element 333.When the coupling member 32 is assembled, a second extending portion3344 of the fourth hinge element 334 and the first extending portion3334 of the third hinge element 333 are in opposite directions. Thefourth hinge element 334 and the second hinge element 328 arealternatively arranged along the second auxiliary hinge shaft 336. Thesecond connection part 3212 (as illustrated in FIG. 30) of the couplingmember 32 may include a number of third exterior sides 3342 of thefourth hinge elements 334. Thus, the second connection part 3212 of thecoupling member 32 can be slidably coupled to the second housing 20. Inorder to maintain a position of the fourth hinge element 334 relative tothe second hinge element 328, the damping mechanism 33 may furtherinclude a second auxiliary damping member 340. Thus, the first housing10 and the second housing 20 can be in the angular configuration with apredetermined angle. The second auxiliary damping member 340 isconfigured for providing a damping force to the fourth hinge element 334and the second hinge element 328 to prevent the fourth hinge element 334from rotating relative to the second hinge element 328. The fourthdamping member 340 is similar to the first damping member 331. The firstelastic ring 3313 of the second auxiliary damping member 340 is sleevedon the second auxiliary hinge shaft 326, and is located between thesecond hinge element 328 and a first damping ring 3311 of the secondauxiliary damping member 340. A second elastic ring 3314 of the secondauxiliary damping member 340 is sleeved on the second auxiliary hingeshaft 326, and is located between the fourth hinge element 334 and asecond damping ring 3312 of the second auxiliary damping member 340.

As illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG. 42, the first connection part 3211 ofthe coupling member 32 is slidably coupled to the first housing 10 (seeFIG. 1) and the second connection part 3212 of the coupling member 32 isslidably coupled to the second housing 20 (see FIG. 1). The couplingmember 32 is connect to the connecting member 31. Thus, the couplingmember 32 is prevented from sliding along a direction perpendicular tothe hinge shaft 329 with respect to the connecting member 31. That is,the coupling member 32 and the connecting member 31 should be slideeither from the first interior portion 14 to the first exterior portion15 together or from the first exterior portion 15 to the first interiorportion 14 together. Thus, the coupling member 32 can support theconnecting member 31 effectively. The connecting module 30 may furtherinclude a positioning member 34. In one exemplary embodiment, thepositioning member 34 includes a first end 341 and a second end 342opposite the first end 341. The first end 341 is coupled to theconnecting member 31, and the second end 344 is coupled to the couplingmember 32. The positioning member 34 is configured to prevent thecoupling member 32 from moving to the first housing 10 or the secondhousing 20 with respect to the connecting member 31. In one embodiment,the first end 341 is coupled to the connecting member 31, and the secondend 342 is configured to prevent the coupling member 32 from moving withrespect to the connecting member 31. A distance of the positioningmember 34 and the first housing 10 is substantially equal to a distanceof the positioning member 34 and the second housing 20. The couplingmember 32 is coupled to the connecting member 31 by the positioningmember 34. Thus, the coupling member 32 will not move towards the firsthousing 10 or the second housing 20 relative to the connecting member31.

As illustrated in FIG. 42, FIG. 43, FIG. 44 and FIG. 45, in an exemplaryembodiment, the first end 341 includes a raised portion 343. The raisedportion 343 is raised far away from the second end 342. The second end342 have a through hole 344. A central axis of through hole 344 issubstantially perpendicular to a raising direction of the raised portion343. The central axis of through hole 344 is substantially parallel tothe hinge shaft 329. In addition, the connecting member 31 defines anumber of welding holes 315. Each of the welding holes 315 has ageometric center. The geometric centers of the welding holes 315 arearranged along a longitudinal geometric central line of the connectingmember 31. The raised portion 343 of the positioning member 34 of thefirst hinge element 327 received in the welding hole 315 and welded tothe connecting member 31. As illustrated in FIG. 42, the first interiorside 3271 of the first hinge element 327 have a cutout 3275 facing theconnecting member 31. The second end 342 of the positioning member 34 isreceived in the cutout 3275. The hinge shaft 329 pass through thethrough hole 344 and the cutout 3275. The second end 342 is coupled tothe hinge shaft 329. That is, the positioning member 34 will not berotated around the hinge shaft 329. Thus, the positioning member 342 canbe rotated with respect to the first hinge element 327 by rotating thehinge shaft 329 in the cutout 3275. The longitudinal geometric centralline of the connecting member 31 may be substantially parallel to andoverlapped with the longitudinal geometric central line of the couplingmember 32. The coupling member 32 will not move towards the firsthousing 10 or the second housing 20 relative to the connecting member31. The coupling member 32 can provide a support to the connectingmember 31 effectively. The connecting module 30 can provided a supportto the flexible display panel 40 effectively. In one embodiment, theconnecting member 31 may define a number of welding holes 315. Each ofthe welding holes 315 faces one first hinge element 327. It is notedthat, the connecting member 31 may define a number of welding holes 315facing the second hinge element 328. Correspondingly, the second hingeelement 328 can define cutout 3275. The connecting module 34 may includea number of positioning members 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 46 and FIG. 47, in an exemplary embodiment, apositioning member 34′ is provided. The positioning member 34′ includesa first end 341′ and a second end 342′ opposite to the first end 341′.The second end 342′ of the positioning member 34′ may define apositioning groove 345. The positioning groove 345 extends towards afirst end 341′. The coupling member 32 is coupled to the positioningmember 34. The hinge shaft 329 of the coupling member 32 is slidablydisposed in the positioning groove 345. Thus, the hinge shaft 329 canslide from one end of the positioning groove 345 to the other end of thepositioning groove 345. The coupling member 32 can slide either close tothe connecting member 31 or far away from the connecting member 31. Adistance of the coupling member 32 and the connecting member 31 can bechanged in a predetermined range.

In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting module 30 may include twopositioning members 34′. The two positioning members 34′ arerespectively disposed at two ends of the hinge shaft 329. The twopositioning members 34′ can be used as a capping member. The positioningmembers 34′ can also be configured to package the two ends of thecoupling member 32. Meanwhile, the positioning members 34′ can beconfigured to prevent the coupling member 32 from moving towards thefirst housing 10 or the second housing 20 with respect to the connectingmember 31. Each of the positioning member 34′ can be flexible. Each ofthe positioning member 34′ includes the first end 341′ and a second end342′ opposite to the first end 341′. The first end 341′ is coupled tothe connecting member 31 by means of adhesive or other suitableconnections. The positioning member 34′ can be bent together with theconnecting member 31. A number of notches 3451 are formed at the secondend 342′ of the positioning member 34′, thereby forming a number ofwedge-shaped portions 346. The wedge-shaped portions 346 are arrangedalong a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of theconnecting member 31. The positioning member 34′ can package the twoends of the connecting module 30. Thus, the connecting module 30 canhave a good appearance. Each of the wedge-shaped portions 346 includestwo opposite sloped surfaces 347. Thus, when the positioning member 34′is bent together with the connecting member 31, two adjacentwedge-shaped portions 346 can be close to each other and in contact witheach other.

One of the wedge-shaped portions 346 defines the positioning groove 345.The positioning groove 345 can be runway-shaped. The one of thewedge-shaped portions 346 is substantially located at the geometriccentral line of the connecting member 31. The extending direction of thepositioning groove 345 is perpendicular to the geometric central line ofthe connecting member 31. The extending direction of the positioninggroove 345 and the geometric central line of the connecting member 31are coplanar. One end of the hinge shaft 329 is slidably coupled to oneof the positioning members 34′, the other end of the hinge shaft 329 isslidably coupled to the other one of the positioning members 34′. Thus,the hinge shaft 329 can slide along the extending direction of thepositioning groove 345. The positioning groove 345 can prevent thecoupling member 32 from moving towards the first housing 10 or thesecond housing 20 relative to the connecting member 31. When therotating angel of the first housing 10 with respect to the secondhousing 20 is more than 180°, a distance of the connecting member 31 andthe coupling member 32 will be increased. At this time, the hinge shaft329 may slide towards the second end 342′ of the positioning groove 345far away the first end 341. Thus, the positioning groove 345 can beconfigured to guide the hinge shaft 329 and prevent the hinge shaft 329from sliding out of the positioning member 34′. Moreover, the hingeshaft 329 can be prevent from moving towards the first housing 10 or thesecond housing 20. Thus, the rotating angel of the first housing 10 withrespect to the second housing can be more than 180°. The positioningmember 34′ can be made of a flexible material such as silicone. Inaddition, a wear resistant unit 348 such as a steel ring can be disposedin the positioning groove 345. The wear resistant unit 348 can be incontact with an inner surface of the positioning member 34′ in thepositioning groove 345. The wear resistant unit 348 can be arunway-shaped similar to a configuration of the positioning groove 345.Thus, the positioning member 34′ can be protected by the wear resistantunit 348, thereby avoiding a damage. Thus, the service life of thepositioning member 34′ can be increased, and a security of thepositioning member 34′ can be improved.

As illustrated in FIG. 48, in an exemplary embodiment, the positioningmember 34″ can be a connection plate. The positioning member 34″ isintegrated with the connecting member 31. That is, the positioningmember 34″ is extended from the end of the connecting member 31. Theconnection plate is rigid. The positioning member 34″ is substantiallylocated at the geometric central line of the connecting member 31. Anextending direction of positioning member 34 is perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the connecting member 31. The extendingdirection of the positioning member 34″ and the geometric central lineof the connecting member 31 are coplanar. The first end 341″ of thepositioning member 34″ is coupled to the connecting member 31. Adistance of the first end 341″ and the first housing 10 is substantiallyequal to a distance of the first end 341″ and the second housing 20. Thesecond end 342″ is far away from the connecting member 31. Thepositioning member 34″ is substantially perpendicular to the connectingmember 31. For example, the connecting member 31 with the positioningmember 34″ can be made of a metal plate by a punching process. Thus, twoends of the metal plate can be bent to form the two positioning members34″ coupled to the connecting member 31. The second end 342″ of thepositioning member 34″ may define a positioning groove 348″. Thepositioning groove 348″ can be runway-shaped. The hinge shaft 329includes two sliding rods 3291. The two sliding rods 3291 arerespectively located at two ends of the hinge shaft 329. The slidingrods 3291 at one end of the hinge shaft 329 is slidably coupled to thepositioning groove 348″ of one positioning member 34″, the sliding rod3291 at the other end of the hinge shaft 329 is slidably coupled to thepositioning groove 348″ of the other positioning members 34″. Thus, thehinge shaft 329 can slide along a longitudinal direction of thepositioning groove 348″. The longitudinal direction of the positioninggroove 348″ is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directionof the connecting member 31. The longitudinal geometric central line ofthe connecting member 31 and a longitudinal geometric central line ofthe positioning groove 348″ are coplanar. The positioning groove 348″can prevent the coupling member 32 from moving towards the first housing10 or the second housing 20 relative to the connecting member 31. Whenthe rotating angel of the first housing 10 with respect to the secondhousing is more than 180°, the distance of the connecting member 31 andthe coupling member 32 will be increased. At this time, the hinge shaft329 may slide towards the second end 342″ of the positioning groove 348″far away the first end 341. Thus, the positioning groove 348″ can beconfigured to guide the hinge shaft 329 and to prevent the hinge shaft329 from sliding out of the positioning member 34″.

As illustrated in FIG. 49, FIG. 50 and FIG. 51, in one embodiment, thehousing assembly 100 may further include two capping members 50. The twocapping members 50 are respectively disposed at the first connectingside 313 and the second connecting side 313′ of the connecting member31. In other words, the two capping members 50 are respectively disposedat two sides of the flexible display panel 40. Each of two the cappingmembers 50 is coupled to a side of the flexible display panel 40. Oneend of each of the capping members 50 is in contact with the firsthousing 10, the other end is in contact with the second housing 20. Eachof the capping members 50 includes an outer surface 51 and an innermounting surface 52 opposite to the outer surface 51. The outer surface51 can be a caved surface protruding away from the inner mountingsurface 52. The inner mounting surface 52 is configured to be in contactwith the positioning member 34″. The inner mounting surface 52 defines asliding groove 512 communicated with the positioning groove 348″ of thepositioning member 34″. The sliding rod 3291 of the first hinge shaft329 penetrates through the positioning groove 348″ into the slidinggroove 512. Thus, the sliding rod 3291 can also slide in the slidinggroove 512. The capping member 50 may have a first side wall 53 and asecond side wall 54 opposite to the first side wall 53. The first sidewall 53 is substantially parallel to the second side wall 54. The firstside wall 53 is also parallel to the first connecting side 313 and thesecond connecting side 313′ of the connecting member 31 (i.e., the sideof the flexible display panel 40). The inner mounting surface 52 and theout surface 51 are located between the first side wall 53 and the secondside wall 54. The outer surface 51 defines a number of holes 55. Theholes 55 may further passes through the inner mounting surface 52. Theholes 55 are located between the first side wall 53 and the second sidewall 54. An arrangement direction of the holes 55 is substantiallyparallel to the first side wall 53. A cross-sectional configuration ofeach of the holes 55 can be stripe-shaped, and a longitudinal directionof each of the holes 55 is parallel to the first side wall 53. Thecapping member 50 can be bent together with the side of the flexibledisplay panel 40 to change a configuration of each of the holes 55. Thatis, the holes 55 can provide a space for the bent first side wall 53 andthe bent second side wall 54. Then, a configuration of each of the holes55 will be changed. The capping member 50 with the holes 55 can have anexcellent flexibility. A configuration of each of the holes 55 can becircle, or rectangular, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 52, the second end342″ of the positioning member 34″ can be fixed to the end of the hingeshaft 329 of the coupling member 32. The first end 341″ of thepositioning member 34″ defines a positioning groove 348″. Thepositioning groove 348″ can be runway-shaped. A sliding rod 349 isdisposed at the first connecting side 313 of the connecting member 31.It is noted that, another sliding rod 349 can be disposed at the secondconnecting side 313′ of the connecting member 31. An axis of the slidingrod 349 is overlapped with a longitudinal geometric central line of theconnecting member 31. The sliding rod 349 is slidably coupled to thepositioning groove 348″ of the positioning members 34″. Thus, the firstcoupling member 329 can slide along a longitudinal direction of thepositioning groove 348″. The longitudinal direction of the positioninggroove 348″ is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directionof the connecting member 31. The longitudinal geometric central line ofthe connecting member 31 and a longitudinal geometric central line ofthe positioning groove 348″ are coplanar. The coupling member 32 cab beprevented from move towards the first housing 10 or the second housing20 relative to the connecting member 31.

It is noted that, the housing assembly 100 may include two cappingmembers 50. The two capping members 50 are respectively disposed at thefirst connecting sides 313 and the second connecting side 313′ of theconnecting member 31. The sides of the connecting module 30 forsupporting the flexible display panel 40 can be covered by the cappingmembers 50. Thus, the housing assembly 100 can have a good appearance.In one exemplary embodiment, the capping member can be made of silicone.The capping member 50 can be integrated with the connecting member 31 bya molding process. In other embodiment, the capping member 50 can becoupled to the connecting member 31 by means of screw.

The housing assembly 100 is configured for carrying the display device200, and protecting the electronic component 300. The first housing 10is configured for supporting the first portion 41 of the flexibledisplay panel 40. The second housing 20 is configured for supporting thesecond display portion of the flexible display panel 40. The connectionmodule 30 can be folded or unfolded, and is configured for supportingthe third portion 43 of the flexible display panel 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 53, in the present embodiment, theflexible display panel 40 includes a first portion 41, a second portion42 and a bendable portion 43 between the first portion 41 and the secondportion 42. The first portion 41 is attached to the first supportingsurface 111, the second display portion is attached to the secondsupporting surface 121. The first portion 41 can move with the firsthousing 10, and the second portion 42 can move with the second housing20. Thus, the mobile terminal 900 may include a first display portion901, a second display portion 902 and a bending display portion 903. Thefirst display portion 901 is equipped with the first portion 41, thesecond display portion 902 is equipped with the second portion 42, andthe bending display portion 903 is equipped with the third portion 43.The first display portion 901 includes a first display surface 9011 anda first rear surface 121 (i.e., the first rear surface 121 of the firsthousing 10, see FIG. 3). The second display portion 902 includes asecond display surface 9021 and a second rear surface 121 (i.e., thesecond rear surface 221 of the first housing 20, see FIG. 3). It isnoted that, the first display surface 9011 and the second displaysurface 9021 are parts of a display surface of the flexible displaypanel 40. The first display surface 9011 of the first portion 41 can bepositioned on the first housing 10, the second display surface 9021 ofthe second portion 42 can be positioned on the second housing 20. Themobile terminal 900 can be either in a folded configuration, an angularconfiguration or in an unfolded mold. In the folded configuration, asillustrated in FIG. 45, the second display portion 902 can be rotatedrelative to the first display portion 901, and then can be stacked ontothe first display portion 901. The first rear surface 121 of the firstdisplay portion 901 is in attached to the second rear surface 221 of thesecond display portion 902. Meanwhile, the protruding portion 122 of thefirst display portion 901 is received in the indentation 222 (see FIG.26). By rotation of the first housing 10 relative to the second housing20, the flexible display panel 40 can be transitionable between: (i) afirst configuration (i.e., the unfolded configuration) in which thefirst display surface 9011 is coplanar with the second display surface9021, and (ii) a second configuration (i.e., the folded configuration orthe angular configuration) in which the first display surface 9011 isnoncoplanar with the second display surface 9021. For example, in thesecond configuration, the first display surface 9011 is angled to orparallel to the second display surface 9021.

As illustrated in FIG. 53, the mobile terminal 900 in the unfoldedconfiguration can be used with a large display area. For example, thefirst housing 10 and the second housing 20 are arranged in a plane(i.e., the first display portion 901 and the second display portion 902are arranged in a plane), the mobile terminal 900 can be used as atablet computer. The mobile terminal 900 can provide a large displayarea to the user, thereby improving the user's experience. Asillustrated in FIG. 54, the mobile terminal 900 in the foldedconfiguration can be used with a small display area. For example, thefirst housing 10 is stacked on the second housing 20 (i.e., the firstdisplay portion 901 is stacked on the second display portion 902). Thus,the mobile terminal 900 can be used as a mobile phone. It is convenientfor a user to carry the mobile terminal 900 in the folded configuration.As illustrated in FIG. 55 and FIG. 56, the mobile terminal 900 in theangular configuration can be used with a bent display area. The angle ofthe first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is formed. The rotatingangle of the first housing 10 with respect to the second housing 20 canbe more than 180° (the rotating angle illustrated in FIG. 55 is) 270°.The rotating angle of the first housing 10 with respect to the secondhousing 20 can be in a range from 0 to 180° (the rotating angleillustrated in FIG. 56 is 90°). Thus, the mobile terminal 900 can beused as a notebook computer.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 57, the mobileterminal 900 may include two second display portions 902. The two seconddisplay portions 902 are coupled to the two sides of the first displayportions 901 respectively. Correspondingly, the housing assembly 100 mayinclude two second housings 20. The two second housings 20 are coupledto two sides of the first housing 10 by a connecting module 30respectively. The flexible display panel 40 includes two second part 42.The two second part 42 are coupled to two sides of the first part 41. Athird part 43 is coupled between the first part 41 and each of thesecond part 42. The second housing 20 are configured to support the twosecond parts 42. The connecting module 30 is configured to support thethird part 43.

As illustrated in FIG. 58, the mobile terminal 900 may further include aflexible transparent cover 60 covering on the flexible display panel 40.The flexible transparent cover 60 is attached on the flexible displaypanel 40. A periphery of the flexible transparent cover 60 is coupled tothe first housing 10, the second housing 20 and the connecting member31. The flexible transparent cover 60 is configured to protect theflexible display panel 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 59, in the present embodiment, the electroniccomponent 300 may include a first electronic module 71, a secondelectronic module 72 and a flexible circuit board 73. The firstelectronic module 71 is electrically connected to the second electronicmodule 72 by the flexible circuit board 73. The first electronic module71 is received in the first accommodating cavity 13, and the secondelectronic module 72 is received in the second accommodating cavity 23.The first electronic module 71 may include a printed circuit board and anumber of functional components disposed on the printed circuit board.For example, the electronic module 71 can include a main board, acentral processor, a memory, an antenna, a camera, and a receiver, etc.The second electronic module 72 may include a printed circuit board anda number of functional components disposed on the printed circuit board.The second electronic module 72 can be different from the firstelectronic module 71. For example, the second electronic module 72 caninclude a battery, a connector, finger print module, etc.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the disclosure needs not be limited to the disclosedembodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling member, configured to couple a firsthousing to a second housing, the coupling member comprising: a firstconnection part configured to be coupled to the first housing, the firstconnection part comprising two first sliding plates and a number offirst auxiliary sliding plates located between the two first slidingplates; a second connection part configured to be coupled to the secondhousing, the second connection part comprising two second sliding platesand a number of second auxiliary sliding plates located between the twosecond sliding plates; and a linkage part, the linkage part comprising:at least one first hinge element configured to be coupled to the firstconnection part; at least one second hinge element configured to becoupled to the second connection part; and a hinge shaft pivotallycoupling the at least one first hinge element and the at least onesecond hinge element; wherein the first connection part and the secondconnection part are either close to or far away from each other byrotation of at least one of the at least one first hinge element and theat least one second hinge element around the hinge shaft.
 2. Thecoupling member as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least onefirst hinge element comprises an interior side and an exterior side, theinterior side is rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft, the exterior sideis hinged with the first connection part.
 3. The coupling member asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one second hingeelement comprises another interior side and another exterior side, theanother interior side is rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft, theanother exterior side is hinged with the second connection part.
 4. Thecoupling member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one firsthinge element comprises a plurality of first hinge elements, the atleast one second hinge element comprises a plurality of second hingeelements, the plurality of first hinge elements and the second pluralityof first hinge elements are alternatively arranged along the hingeshaft.
 5. The coupling member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the linkagepart comprising: a third hinge element; and an auxiliary hinge shaftparallel to the hinge shaft; the third hinge element being hinged withthe first hinge element by the auxiliary hinge shaft, the firstconnection part being coupled to the at least one first hinge element bythe third hinge element.
 6. The coupling member as claimed in claim 5,wherein the third hinge element comprises an extending portion, and anextending direction of the extending portion is parallel to theauxiliary hinge shaft.
 7. The coupling member as claimed in claim 5,wherein the linkage part comprising: a fourth hinge element; and anotherauxiliary hinge shaft parallel to the hinge shaft; the fourth hingeelement being hinged with the second hinge element by the anotherauxiliary hinge shaft, the second connection part being coupled to theat least one second hinge element by the fourth hinge element.
 8. Thecoupling member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fourth hinge elementcomprises another extending portion, and the extending direction of theanother extending portion is parallel to the another auxiliary hingeshaft.
 9. The coupling member as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoupling member further comprises a damping mechanism disposed betweenthe at least one first hinge element and the at least one second hingeelement, the damping mechanism is configured for providing a dampingforce to the at least one first hinge element and the at least onesecond hinge element during rotating the at least one first hingeelement with respect to the at least one second hinge element.
 10. Thecoupling member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the damping mechanismcomprises at least one damping member, each of the at least one dampingmember comprises: a first damping ring sleeved on the hinge shaft andcoupled to the at least one first hinge element; and a second dampingring in contact with the first damping ring, sleeved on the hinge shaftand coupled to the at least one second hinge element.
 11. The couplingmember as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the at least one dampingmember comprises: a first elastic ring sleeved on the hinge shaft andlocated between the first damping ring and the at least one first hingeelement; and a second elastic ring sleeved on the hinge shaft andlocated between the second damping ring and the at least one secondhinge element.
 12. A housing assembly, comprising: a first housing; asecond housing; and a coupling member, comprising: a first connectionpart being coupled to the first housing, the first connection partcomprising two first sliding plates and a number of first auxiliarysliding plates located between the two first sliding plates; a secondconnection part being coupled to the second housing, the secondconnection part comprising two second sliding plates and a number ofsecond auxiliary sliding plates located between the two second slidingplates; and a linkage part, the linkage part comprising: at least onefirst hinge element configured to be coupled to the first connectionpart; at least one second hinge element configured to be coupled to thesecond connection part; and a hinge shaft pivotally coupling the atleast one first hinge element and the at least one second hinge element;wherein the first housing is rotatable with respect to the secondhousing by rotation of at least one of the at least one first hingeelement and the at least one second hinge element around the hingeshaft.
 13. The housing assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein thehousing assembly further comprises a connecting member, the connectingmember is coupled between the first housing and the second housing, andfaces the coupling member, the coupling member is configured to supportthe connecting member.
 14. The housing assembly as claimed in claim 12,wherein the first connection part is slidably coupled the first housing,the second connection part is slidably coupled the second housing, asliding direction of the first connection part with respect to the firsthousing is perpendicular to the hinge shaft, a sliding direction of thesecond connection part with respect to the second housing isperpendicular to the hinge shaft.
 15. The housing assembly as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the housing assembly further comprises a positioningmember, the positioning member comprises a first end and a second endopposite to the first end, the first end is fixed to the connectingmember, the second end is coupled to the hinge shaft, the positioningmember is configured to prevent a movement of the coupling member alonga direction perpendicular to the hinge shaft with respect to theconnecting member.
 16. The housing assembly as claimed in claim 14,wherein the first housing defines an accommodating cavity for receivingthe first connection part.
 17. The housing assembly as claimed in claim14, wherein the second housing defines another accommodating cavity forreceiving the second connection part.
 18. The housing assembly asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the first housing further comprises a firstlocating element for locating a location of the first connection partalong the sliding direction, the second housing further comprises asecond locating element for locating a location of the second connectionpart along the sliding direction.
 19. The housing assembly as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the first connection part further comprises a firstlocating element for locating a location of the first connection partalong the sliding direction, the second connection part furthercomprises a second locating element for locating a location of thesecond connection part along the sliding direction.
 20. An electronicdevice, comprising: a housing assembly, comprising: a first housing; asecond housing; and a coupling member, comprising: a first connectionpart being coupled to the first housing, the first connection partcomprising two first sliding plates and a number of first auxiliarysliding plates located between the two first sliding plates; a secondconnection part being coupled to the second housing, the secondconnection part comprising two second sliding plates and a number ofsecond auxiliary sliding plates located between the two second slidingplates; and a linkage part, the linkage part comprising: at least onefirst hinge element configured to be coupled to the first connectionpart; at least one second hinge element configured to be coupled to thesecond connection part; and a hinge shaft for pivotally coupling the atleast one first hinge element and the at least one second hinge element;the first connection part and the second connection part being close toeach other by the linkage part; a flexible display panel positioned onthe first housing and the second housing of the housing assembly; and anelectronic component group positioned in the first housing and thesecond housing and electrically connected to the flexible display panel.